WWE Smackdown on The CW
Taped in Nashville, Tenn.

[Q1] Highlights aired of last week's Triple H and Jeff Hardy confrontation, Hardy winning a four-way to earn a title shot, and Vladimir Kozlov attacking him... The opening montage aired... Jim Ross and Tazz introduced the show at ringside and hyped Jeff Hardy vs. The Brian Kendrick, and Triple H vs. MVP...

1. Michelle McCool pinned Maryse to retain the WWE Divas Championship in 5:15. Plenty of forced mannerisms and movements in this one. They both played to the live crowd by flipping their hair back and trying to act seductive. The live crowd didn't seem to care much about that, but they got into the action. In the end, McCool hooked Maryse's arms behind her, picked her up, and dropped her to the mat before getting the pin.

Powell's POV: Both women tried hard and they seemed to be making an effort to play to the crowd more even though their mannerisms seemed forced.

Backstage, Eve interrupted a conversation between Vickie Guerrero and Big Show. She asked if Big Show will be coming for retribution and then pointed out that she's been trying hard to get in the ring. Vickie laughed at her comment about training. Show introduced a video of his attack on Undertaker and said it would answer her question...

[Q2] [C] Shawn Michaels narrated a spot for the American Red Cross relief fund. Visit RedCross.com for more info... A shot aired from inside a Nashville bar located near the Sommet Center where the show was being held... Highlights aired from last week of Jesse and Festus "moving" Kenny Dykstra...

2. Festus (w/Jesse) fought Ryan Braddock to an apparent no-contest in 2:45. The usual Festus match. Braddock got a little offense in when he dove at Festus's legs and applied a chin lock. Festus came right back and took control of the match, but Jesse threw him a roll of duct tape. Jesse entered the ring and they taped Braddock. The referee called for the bell...

Powell's POV: I don't know whether they're trying to protect Braddock by not having Festus pin him or bury him by having the match end with the tape spot.

After the break, Jesse and Festus had Braddock wrapped up. They wheeled him to the back and he carried on until they placed tape over his mouth... The announcers hyped the return of Carlito's Cabana...

Backstage, Vickie and Show laughed while talking about everything they were going to do to Undertaker. Show aired more highlights (via the remote control for the TV in her office) of his attack on Taker...

[Q3] At ringside, Ross and Tazz discussed the Undertaker and Big Show storyline... Shelton Benjamin appeared on the big screen and talked about everything it takes to be the Gold Standard. He said his opponent spent 13 months in jail and therefore would never be in the same league as him...

3. R-Truth defeated Shelton Benjamin in a non-title match in 9:40. The usual "What's Up" ring entrance from R-Truth. Shelton's arrogant reaction to R-Truth's entrance was great. Ross said Shelton had the opportunity to go to college and get a good education. Tazz said Shelton things he's above Killings.

Shelton controlled the offense and twisted him like a pretzel. A small R-Truth chant broke out. R-Truth made a couple of comeback attempts, but Shelton continued to dominate the match until R-Truth used a roll up out of nowhere to win the match. Hurricane Helms appeared in a small circle on the screen and said the price of gold just went down... [C]

Powell's POV: The match wasn't very exciting with Shelton dominating on the mat, but the live crowd is really into R-Truth and they popped big when he won. This must have been the upset that J.R. mentioned in his blog. The Helms thing was short and sweet. Although he referred to himself as Hurricane, he wasn't wearing his old Hurricane costume.

[Q4] Highlights aired of Vladimir Kozlov attacking Jeff Hardy last week...

Jeff Hardy made his entrance and cut an in-ring promo. He said he's been known as the extreme crazy wrestler. "That's why I am your charismatic enigma," he said. Hardy said he's confident and comfortable in his own skin and he hopes people respect that. He said Triple H said he's never won the big one last week and that angered him.

Hardy said he realized that Triple H was trying to motivate him and make him better. "Congratulations, Game, you have motivated me, you have fired me up, you have made me better," Hardy said. He turned his attention to Vladimir Kozlov and said he attacked him from behind. Before he could finish his thoughts on Kozlov, The Brian Kendrick's entrance music interrupted him.

Kendrick and Ezekiel Jackson walked onto the stage. Kendrick said Hardy has bigger fish to fry. Hardy pointed out that he beat The Brian Kendrick in The Fatal Four-way to become The number one contender. Kendrick said that wasn't a one-on-one match. He challenged him to a singles match "unless you have something better to do like one of those extracurricular activities that Triple H was talking about"...

4. Jeff Hardy pinned The Brian Kendrick (w/Ezekiel Jackson) in 7:50. Hardy punched Kendrick in the face to start the match, but Kendrick dumped him to ringside and celebrated while the show cut to a commercial break about a minute into the match. [C]

Back and forth action after the break until Hardy noticed Zeke making a move at ringside. Kendrick tried to take advantage of the distraction by going for his finisher, but Hardy used a backslide to score the win. Nice finish.

[Q5] Afterward, Vladimir Kozlov came out onto the stage and kicked Hardy while he was celebrating... [C]

Powell's POV: I'm intrigued by the Kozlov and Hardy feud. I don't expect it to be a series of great matches, but the buildup has been strong thus far.

Backstage, Big Show told Vickie that Undertaker was in the building. Show struck a fighter's pose as a camera entered the room. With Vickie and Show looking at the camera, Vickie told Show she would handle it. Vickie looked into the camera and demanded an apology. "I'm sorry," said a voice that sounded similar to Undertaker's.

She ordered him to kiss her foot. The camera panned down and the voice said, "Vickie, I'm sorry." The camera pulled back and revealed that Chavo Guerrero was wearing a black trench coat and a hat similar to Taker's. They all shared a laugh... Additional highlights aired of Big Show's attack on Taker... [C]

Carlito hosted the Cabana with Primo at his side. They tested their microphones and welcomed viewers to the Cabana. Carlito introduced Primo as his baby brother and his very special guest. He asked how it felt to score his first victory on Smackdown last week. Primo said he was surprised because it was so easy. Carlito laughed.

Primo said if it's that easy, it's only a matter of time before they became tag champions. Primo said that would be cool. Carlito told him not to steal his line and reminded him who the host of the Cabana is. Zach Ryder and Curt Hawkins walked to the ring while another Hurricane Helms clip aired where he referred to them as Curt and Jerk. His new thing is to conclude his clips by saying, "I'm just saying..."

In the ring, Ryder and Hawkins bragged about being tag champions while Carlito and Primo laughed at them. Carlito challenged them to a match. Ryder said the Colons were just starting. Primo said at least people know who they are. He started to say something in Spanish, but Carlito covered his mouth. Ryder and Hawkins agreed to give them a tag title match next week.

"Gracias," Primo said. Carlito told the crowd that that meant thank you. Carlito asked if someone could come out and pack the set. Jesse and Festus came out. The tag champs attacked the Colons from behind. Primo rang the bell and then Festus flipped out. He picked up one of the palm trees on the set and chased the tag champs backstage with it...

Powell's POV: Wow, this segment really bombed. The bits with the Primo and one of the Edgeheads using Carlito's "That's not cool" line were funny, but he just doesn't have much of an edge as a babyface.

[Q6] [C] The announcers spoke while a brief shot aired of the Nashville Music Hall of Fame... Backstage, Brie Bella approached Maria while she was working on some clothing sketches and asked her to make her two identical outfits. Victoria and Natalya entered the room and accused Brie of keeping a secret. The heels challenged the babyfaces to a match for next week...

A clip aired of Scotty Goldman using a paper bag puppet to taunt Great Khali during a pre-taped promo...

Powell's POV: Wow, that was lame.

5. Great Khali (w/Runjin Singh) squashed Scotty Goldman in 1:35. Total squash. Ross pointed out that Khali never left his feet. Tazz announced Khali vs. Kozlov for next week... [C]

Powell's POV: I guess the fans will be forced to cheer for, um, well, uh...I have no idea which wrestler the fans will root for in this epic showdown that is sure to produce a five-star mat classic. WWE is hyping plenty of matches because they want one more chance to remind viewers about the big move to MyNetwork Television.

[Q7] At ringside, Tazz bragged to Lawler about how many people watched WWE compared to college football last week. It was like a verbal "Did You Know?" segment... Highlights aired from Monday's Raw...

Backstage, asked Ryder, Hawkins, and Bam Neely to leave the room so that he could watch the clip of Big Show knocking out Undertaker again. The footage aired for viewers. Back in the office, Chavo's TV went crazy and a bunch of Taker symbols appeared. He turned around and we got another edition of Taker Cam. This time, we saw the real Taker reach out and grab him by the throat. Chavo squirmed while Taker held the choke... [C]

Powell's POV: I didn't care for Taker Cam when Chavo was doing it and this was pretty corny too even though it was the real Taker.

6. Triple H pinned MVP in a non-title match in 14:00. Ross said MVP claims to be the highest paid wrestler on the Smackdown roster. He said he should relish this opportunity to face Hunter. Ross also stated that Hunter doesn't make any mistakes and labeled him a modern day Harley Race.

The live crowd was really quiet while MVP got the better of Triple H early on and they didn't make a peep when MVP performed some of his signature taunts. However, they popped when Hunter mocked one of MVP's taunts.

[Q8] [C] MVP worked over Hunter with a wrist lock after the break while the crowd chanted Triple H. Eventually, Hunter made his comeback and the pace of the match picked up around 12:30. A minute later, Hunter hit the spinebuster, but MVP rolled to ringside and sold a back injury.

Hunter followed, but MVP elbowed him and slammed his head into the announcers' table. MVP threw Hunter inside the ring. MVP climbed to the top rope and jumped off, but Hunter kicked him on the way down and hit the Pedigree for the win.

Triple H celebrated briefly until Vladimir Kozlov's music interrupted his own music. Hunter motioned for Kozlov to face him in the ring. Kozlov walked to ringside and they stared each other down. Kozlov entered the ring and Tazz said he was getting goosebumps. Ross said this was a matchup that Smackdown fans had been thinking about for a long time.

Kozlov entered the ring. Ross said there was no fear in the eyes of either wrestler. Ross pointed out that Hunter just competed in the main event. MVP tried to attack Hunter from behind, but Hunter saw him and knocked him off the apron. Kozlov attacked Hunter while he was distracted. They traded a couple punches. Kozlov controlled the exchange until Hunter gave him a jaw jacker. Kozlov came back with the battering ram head butt that left Hunter lying on the mat.

Ross hyped that Kozlov had taken out the number one contender and the WWE Champion in the same night. Kozlov stood over Hunter and spoke in Russian while the show concluded...

Powell's POV: Kozlov is getting the mega-push. I thought they were going to take their time with him until I watched this show. I didn't think they did MVP any favors tonight. The live crowd isn't reacting to him right now, but WWE isn't giving him any meaningful mic time to get his heat back. I'll have more to say about the show in the WWE Smackdown Hitlist, which Dot Net Members can read minutes after the conclusion of the show. Ad-based users can look forward to reading the Hitlist on Saturday afternoon.

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